Denver, May 4, 1999 ? Qwest Communications International Inc. Chairman and CEO Joseph P. Nacchio today named Afshin Mohebbi, 36, -- a global business leader with telecommunications and Internet experience in America and Europe ? as president and chief operating officer.

Mohebbi now is British Telecommunications (BT) president and managing director of United Kingdom markets, an $18 billion business unit serving 20 million consumers and 1.5 million businesses in the UK. He is the youngest BT managing director of a division.

Mohebbi has been recognized by investors, business partners and colleagues for managing large, diverse teams of professionals; and for business results that have catapulted him to his next assignment and frequent promotions.

Mohebbi has a master's degree in business administration, graduating as a dean's scholar, from the University of California; a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering with an emphasis on communications systems from the University of California Irvine, which he completed with honors in two years when he was only 18 years old; and a telecommunications engineering certificate from the University of California Los Angeles.

"Afshin is going to be an outstanding addition to our strong Qwest management team," said Nacchio. "He brings energy, intellect and a new perspective achieved over a series of fast-track assignments that will help us continue to grow our business and change the communications industry."

With Mohebb's arrival June 1, Nacchio will be freed to spend more time focused on overall corporate performance; long-term strategy, technology and corporate development.

Mohebbi will manage all Qwest line operations, including market-facing business units (business, consumer, government, international and wholesale markets); network engineering and operations; information technology and staff support functions..

He has more than 16 years of fast-moving, high-growth communications industry experience at SBC Communications and its Pacific Bell unit, as well as British Telecommunications. Mohebbi has held a wide variety of assignments in marketing, sales, engineering, operations and customer service. He held a key role in BT's accelerated deployment of an Internet Protocol infrastructure, products and services.

About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. (Nasdaq: QWST) is a leader in reliable and secure broadband Internet-based data, voice and image communications for businesses and consumers. Headquartered in Denver, Qwest has more than 9,000 employees working in North America, Europe and Mexico. The Qwest Macro Capacity Fiber Network, designed with the newest optical networking, will span more than 18,500 route miles in the United States when it is completed by mid-1999, and an additional 315-mile network route that will be completed by the end of the year. In addition, Qwest and KPN, the Dutch telecommunications company, have formed a venture to build and operate a high-capacity European fiber optic, Internet Protocol-based network that has 2,100 miles and will span 9,100 miles when it is completed in 2001. Qwest also has nearly completed a 1,400-mile network in Mexico. For more information, please visit the Qwest web site at www.qwest.com.

This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Qwest with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on new product development, rapid technological and market change, failure to complete the network on schedule and on budget, financial risk management and future growth subject to risks, Qwest's ability to achieve Year 2000 compliance, and adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment. Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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